Simon Danczuk slams Government over rising Rochdale suicide rate

Simon Danczuk MP

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has slammed the Government’s record on mental health funding after figures revealed that suicide rates in the town have increased by 25% since 2010.

Speaking in a Parliamentary debate on health, Mr Danczuk quoted statistics from Public Health England which show that suicide rates in Rochdale are significantly higher than the UK average.

The MP also asked Government health Minister Alistair Burt what is being done to address the growing suicide rates among males living in deprived areas.

Taking part in the debate, Mr Danczuk said: “In Rochdale, suicides have gone up by 25% since 2010. The rate is 11.8% against an average of 8.9% in England.

“We have a much higher rate of male suicide. If the Government continue to get their approach to this wrong, there will be more and more needless deaths. Are they going to fund mental health services properly?”

In Response, Mr Burt said more money would be spent on mental health care, particularly on child and adolescent services.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Danczuk said: “This Government has talked a lot about putting the funding for mental and physical health on equal footing, but we can see little evidence of that on the ground in Rochdale.

“We can see in these shocking statistics that many people feel like they have nowhere to turn in times of crisis.

“Speaking from experience, I know how important it is for people suffering from mental health problems to have someone to talk to.This government needs to get serious about funding these vital services before more lives are lost.”